【推荐2】Robots are not new.     1    . Any modern manufacturing or processing plant or factory uses robots in some way or ways. Manufacturers know that to stay competitive, you need to cut costs and improve efficiency in your production line. Robots are the perfect solution.

We have used robots in the home environment for some time too.       2     They are programmed to clean the floors. But now in 2018, Moley, a London based robotics company has brought all the technology and engineering brilliance of robots into one package to produce the world’s first fully-automated and intelligent cooking robot. The consumer version set will be launched in 2020. Moley is turning the dream of unlimited access to chefs and their recipes worldwide into reality.       3     It can even cook your own recipes and share them with others all in your own home.

It’s already been tested in the Robotics Show in Hannover Messe.       4     The three major talking points are as follows.

•It works really well.

•It looks fantastic.

•It links up with other state of the art ideas.

An example of the third point is that iTunes has a wealth of recipes available.     5    

A．We’ve been using them for a number of tasks for decades.

B．There are many new different kinds of robots in the world.

C．The robot can create their dishes for you or produce meals from around the world.

D．The robot can do housework for you while you are out.

E．Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

F．Robotic vacuum cleaners have been on the market for many years.

G．And they link up with the marvellous robotic kitchen.

【推荐3】It happens every spring. Flowers suddenly burst out everywhere on the same day, as if they were in tune with one another. But how exactly do plants “know” when to flower?

It is a question that has puzzled biologists for years. But according to Science Daily, a US research group may have finally answered it—the secret lies in a protein called FKFI which allows plants to sense the differences in day lengths so that they can tell the seasons are changing. Researchers spotted the FKFI protein when they were studying a plant called Arabidopsis. They found that the protein is a photoreceptor. This means it is sensitive to, and can be activated by sunlight.

Plants produce this protein every day in the late afternoon throughout the year. If there is no light at this time, for example, in winter when the sun goes down early, the protein won’t be activated. But when spring comes and the days get longer, the protein can be activated by day—light and the plants “know” it is time to flower. “The presence of light in the late afternoon is the signal for plants that the days are getting longer and that it is the optimal time for flowering,” explained Takato Imaizumi, assistant professor at the University of Washington and leader of the study.

This daylight—sensing system also keeps plants from flowering when conditions are poor for growing, such as during autumn or winter when the weather is cold and days are short.

Although researchers have only studied how the FKF1 protein works in the Arabidopsis, they believe it is similar in many other more complex plants, including crops like rice and wheat. This could be useful to the agricultural industry.

“If we can control the timing of flowering, we might be able to increase crop production by speeding or delaying this,” said Imaizumi. “Also, if we could control the timing of flowering in horticultural(园艺的) plants, they may be worth more commercially.”

New technology based on this research might also lead to higher production of biofuel plants. This would be helpful for providing energy.

1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A．Flowering is rarely a synchronized process.

B．The FKF1 protein can only be found in Arabidopsis.

C．The FKF1 protein mainly helps plants to tell day from night.

D．The FKF1 protein can be activated as long as there is sunlight.

2. According to the passage, the fact that ______ is the best signal for plants to grow.

A．the days are getting longer

B．spring comes early than usual

C．people have experienced a warm winter

D．there is still sunlight in the late afternoon

3. The findings of the study mentioned in the passage can be applied to ______.

A．producing more crops

B．increasing varieties of plants

C．providing energy for biofuel plants

D．delaying the changing of seasons

4. Which of the following would be the most suitable title for the passage?

A．FKF1—an Unknown Protein.

B．FKF1—the Real Criminal.

C．Why plants know when to blossom.

D．How plants react to different seasons.

【推荐1】Stop wasting your time thinking of reasons for your failures and shortcomings.   Instead, realize that the seeds of success were planted within you when you were born. Only you have the power to make those seeds grow.
The seeds, and the power to grow them, are contained in the most awesome machine ever created: the human mind. Success is a choice and not a chance. You were born a winner. You were born rich. You can be a success if only you make the right choice.
You cannot be successful without first developing your self-esteem (自信心). Your level of self-esteem is always based on the degree of control that you are able to exercise over yourself, and thus over your life. People with low self-esteem are people who do not believe that they have any power，or responsibility for their lives. They are always victims. They are leaves tossed (摇摆) by the winds of chance blown about with any sudden change in the weather.
You can exercise control over your life only to the degree that you believe you are responsible for everything that happens in your life.   Failures think that everything happens by accident and chance. Successful people realize that they are responsible.
Everything happens as a result of something.   If we can identify the cause，we can control the effect. We are responsible for what we choose to think and believe. One generally rises to the level that one expects. We are responsible for setting our expectations. Our success is dependent upon our level of confidence.
If you associate with positive-thinking people，you are definitely going to achieve success. On the contrary，the opposite happens. We are responsible for finding，planting，and nurturing (培育) the seeds that contain future victory, born from setbacks (挫折).
In short, in all areas of your life，whether they are financial, physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are responsible. Once you recognize this, accept it, and firmly believe it. You are on the road to success.
1. Why people with low self-confidence are compared to leaves?

A．Because they can’t exercise control over themselves

B．Because they are easily affected by windy weather

C．Because they don’t have the power to face their fate

D．Because they are ready to change their minds

2. What would losers think?

A．Success is the result of hard work

B．Working hard will lead to success

C．They fail only because of bad luck

D．They don’t make efforts to succeed

3. What can be inferred from the fifth paragraph?

A．Setting our expectations is essential before taking action

B．Knowing cause and effect is the key to future success

C．Thoughts and beliefs are the result of creative mind

D．Whether we will succeed depends on our attitudes

4. What does the last paragraph serve as?

A．The proof of the author’s points

B．The conclusion of the argument

C．An introduction to another topic

D．A comparison between two views

【推荐1】The trouble with school is that you can’t choose the people you get to see every day. If you’re unlucky enough to be stuck with classmates who don’t really “get” you, you’ve just got to try to make the best of it.
But that doesn’t mean you need to “fit in”, or at least in the way that people think. If you try to transform yourself into a clone of everyone else, it won’t help you make friends. It’ll just make you feel like a fake.
You also shouldn’t shut down or refuse to be friends with everyone who doesn’t like you. If you do that, you’ll just make yourself miserable. Instead, you’ve got to work on being comfortable and confident with whom you are while ignoring all the haters. Keep on speaking up, asking questions and getting to know people better. If you send out positive energy, then people will generally send some back to you. A couple of them will stay the same, and you’re allowed to forget about them.
If you feel like you’re doing all that but still not getting anywhere, then don’t give up. Just expand your circle. Get a part-time job at a cool-looking place, join an after-school art class or youth group—do whatever it takes to find a couple of like-minded people to connect with. Even if you don’t find anyone right away, you’ll still be getting some more social experiences under your belt, and that’s always a good thing.
A fun book called Uncool, by Erin Elisabeth Conley, has some tips for folks like you who want to stay positive at school while being true to your personality:
·Throw caution to the wind.
·Don’t tolerate others’ mistakes.
·Have patience with people who are different from you.
·Don’t change just because someone else thinks you should.
·Know that even though you may be a misfit, there’s always some place where you will be welcomed in the world.
1. According to the author, what should you do if you meet people who don’t appreciate you?

A．Just give up.

B．Ask someone else for help.

C．Show positive attitude toward them.

D．Try your best to fit in with them.

2. The author agrees that you should take part in more activities in order to __________.

A．get more chances of making friends

B．lay a better foundation for your future jobs

C．transform yourself into a clone.

D．make you feel like a fake.

3. In the book Uncool, Erin Elisabeth Conley thinks you should _________.

A．always be kind to your friends

B．keep your own personality

C．tolerate others’ mistakes

D．help improve characters of others

4. This passage was written mainly for _______.

A．doctors	B．scientists
C．students	D．Teachers

【推荐2】Pet Therapy Program

Our program involves trained volunteers and their dogs who visit the children at CHOP. This program gives the children the opportunity to interact safely with the dogs and receive their unconditional love and acceptance in the hope of making the hospital environment more comfortable and less stressful and helping them recover.

For the safety of our patients and their families, we ask all possible volunteers to meet the following requirements:

● Age. You must be 188 years or older, and your dog must be at least one year old.
● Certification. We require all therapy dogs and handlers have a current therapy certification through Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International.
● Time commitment. We ask pet therapy volunteers to commit to a minimum of one two-hour shift (轮班) per month.
● Health. All volunteers and their dogs are required to be healthy. Volunteers have to receive the seasonal flu vaccine (疫苗), which is provided free of charge at CHOP. Dogs cannot be on a raw food diet at any time during their participation in the program. Dogs must be washed within 24 hours of the visit and dry upon entering the hospital.
● Restrictions. Volunteers must obey all patient confidentiality (隐私) guidelines and hospital policies. Dogs must be on leash (皮带). For identification purposes, your dog must wear a piece of colored cloth at all times while in the hospital.

If you’re interested in our program, please call 215-590-2001 or e-mail PPPTP@email. chop. edu.

1. What is CHOP?

A．A pet hospital.	B．A medical school.
C．A children’s hospital.	D．A volunteer organization.

2. What is the main purpose of the program?

A．To reduce patients’ pain caused by their diseases.

B．To train therapy dogs well enough to serve the patients.

C．To make child patients feel comfortable and recover soon.

D．To do some research on dogs’ contribution to medical science.

3. What can we learn about the dogs that work for the program?

A．They must be on a diet.

B．They must be kept clean and dry.

C．They are allowed to walk around freely in the hospital.

D．They must wear colored clothes to attract people’s attention.

【推荐3】From the tropical paradise of United States’Miami to South China’s innovative city Shenzhen, The Lonely Planet released a list of top 10 cities which are worth visiting in 2019.It covers a mix of well-known and less-known destinations.Those places include second place Shenzhen,China;Novi Sad,Serbia in third place;Miami,Florida in fourth place,and Kathmandu,Nepal rounding out the top five.Let’s have a brief look at some of these attractive places.

Copenhagen,Denmark

With its modern design,15 Michellin-starred restaurants and highly bike-friendly culture,it is not surprising that Denmark’s capital has topped The Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities list.

Copenhagen’s street food scene is developing fast in Refshaleon, a former industrial area with a food and craft market,Reffen.

Novi Sad Serbia

While Novi Sad is not a noted as the capital of Belgrade,it’s much more fashionable.It’s home to the country’s annual EXIT! Festival,which is held each July at the 18^th century-era Petrovaradin Fortress.

The festival contributes to a vibrant music and arts scene and a youthful atmosphere.2019 European Youth Capital was held in Novi Sad.It may be a practice run for 2021,when the city will observe the important title of European Capital of Culture.

Kathmandu,Nepal

Three years after it was struck by a destructive earthquake,Kathmandu is welcoming visitors to a city which is much quieter,by design.

With cars banned from the historic center and motor horns banned across the Kathmandu Valley,it’s much quieter than it used to be in the past.

1. In which city can you enjoy riding bikes?

A．Shenzhen,China	B．Kathmandu,Nepal
C．Novi Sad,Serbia	D．Copenhagen,Denmark

2. In Novi Sad,Serbia you can_________________.

A．experience a quieter life style

B．visit the food and craft market,Reffen

C．try delicious food in Michellin-starred restaurant

D．appreciate energetic music and art with the young people.

3. Where does the passage most probably come from?

A．A science report

B．A book review

C．A magazine

D．A realistic novel

【推荐1】In our daily life, many of us feel stressed more or less. Some like this pressure and work better because of it. Others are not comfortable with any stress at all; they soon become unhappy if they feel stressed. Sometimes stress can lead people to do things they wouldn’t usually do, such as overeat, smoke, drink, or use drugs. Stress, however, is a very normal part of life.

It is important to understand that stress doesn’t come from an event itself, that is, from the things that are happening in our lives. It comes from the meaning we give to what has happened. For example, a crying baby may be stressful to one person, but it may not bother another person at all; a traffic jam may be stressful to one person while another person may be able to stay calm.

We can experience stress any time we feel we don’t have control. It can come from a feeling that we can’t do anything about a situation. Basically, it is the body’s way of showing anxiety or worry.

Stress is not just caused by our mental or emotional condition. It is also influenced by how tired we are, whether we have a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals, whether we get enough physical exercise, and whether we can relax.

The key point of relieving the stress is that we need to find what is causing the stress in our lives. Once we have found it, we should try to change that part of our lives. If we believe that we can control stress, we can begin to control our lives. Then we can start to use stress in a positive way.

1. According to the text, ________ can cause stress.

A．overeat	B．smoke
C．a traffic jam	D．a hard test

2. The author mentions the example of a crying baby in order to ________.

A．explain that stress is everywhere

B．tell different people react to stress differently

C．help people learn that stress comes from an event

D．give the definition of stress

3. What does the author suggest dealing with stress?

A．Finding the cause and making changes.

B．Controlling the emotions.

C．Having enough sleep.

D．Taking some drugs.

4. From the text, we can conclude that ________.

A．if someone has stress he will do something wrong unavoidably

B．anyone can experience stress when he is out of control

C．one will feel no stress at all if he gets enough physical exercise

D．one is sure to work better because of the stress

【推荐2】Valerie Stull begins her mornings with a breakfast shake, into which she puts peanut butter, cocoa powder, banana, and milk. The last thing to go in is a powder made from insects.

Stull works at the Global Health Institute. She's in a group of researchers who study the impacts of eating insects. There's a name for dining on insects: entomophagy.

About two billion people regularly eat insects. That's almost one in every four. Most North Americans and Europeans tend to find the idea of entomophagy disgusting. Yet even in their parts of the world, insect eating is starting to catch on. That's especially true when the insects are eaten, as Stull's are, in a form that doesn't show their eyes, wings and feet.

"Some scientists view eatable insects as mini-livestock（小型牲畜）.” Compared to raising cattle and more traditional livestock, insects need far less natural resources such as land and water. Insects also are nutritious. They're packed with protein, vitamins and minerals. Plus, their outer shells contain chitin—a source of fiber.

Stull wondered if chitin and other fibers in insects might offer health benefits similar to other fibers found in a typical American diet. To find out, she teamed up with Tiffany Weir, who's a scientist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Breakfasts enriched with insects changed the amount of different bacteria in the gut（肠道），the two now report. And those changes were in a direction that should improve a diner's health.

These findings suggest that insects work as prebiotics（益生元）.Scientists think probiotics, which fuel the growth of helpful gut bacteria （肠道细菌），have longer and larger benefits than probiotics（益生菌）do. Probiotics exist in your gut, and you can also add them to your diet. But, Stull explains, “When you have probiotics, you're taking in a whole bunch of beneficial bacteria. But if you don't feed those beneficial bacteria, they're not going to stick around very long."

It's possible that insects offer larger benefits to people who eat them regularly. In a future study, Stull's team would like to test that idea.

1. What can we learn from the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A．Insect eating is one of Stull's favorite lifestyles.

B．Insect eating is quite different from entomophagy.

C．Insect eating is becoming more and more acceptable.

D．Insect eating is the most scientific way of getting nutrition.

2. what's the advantage of insect farming compared with traditional livestock farming?

A．It's face-saving.	B．It's time-saving.
C．It's labor-saving.	D．It's resource-saving.

3. What has Stull and Weir's study found out?

A．Insects are rich in fiber.	B．Chitin is similar to other fibers.
C．Eating insects is good for health.	D．Insects can keep gut bacteria in balance.

4. How do prebiotics prebioties differ from probiotics?

A．Prebiotics are good bacteria.	B．Prebiotics can be added to the diet.
C．Prebiotics need to be fed regularly.	D．Prebiotics can inspire good gut bacteria.

【推荐3】One special grandmother is lending 100 years of wisdom to strangers on New York City’s upper West side. Her office attracts many New Yorkers, who wait for a chat with the woman.

Inside the office, you will find a laptop with 100-year-old grandmother Eileen Wilkinson waiting to chat. She may live across the country in Washington State, but thanks to her grandson, Mike Matthews, who is a social professor at New York University, she is now sharing words of wisdom for a chat.

“You can be anything you want, ” Eileen said. “Don’t complain about anything. You can do something about it.”

Over the past three months, hundreds of people have stopped by, chatting with Eileen as if they were old friends. “She completely gets a kick out of meeting New Yorkers because they are so open about their lives, ” said Matthews.

A music student asked for advice on a performance. Others were curious about life in 1917.

One boy said he was already planning his next visit. “She is so wise and energetic,” he said. “And she really doesn't look 100 years old. She looks as if she was in her early late 80s.”

Eileen spent most of her life as a homemaker and mother. She said truly listening gave her advice-giving ability and she was honest.

Eileen hosts online chats and has two accounts of the social media. “It works both ways because I get great joy talking to them, ” she said. Eileen isn't slowing down any time soon, bringing new meaning to the saying, “The road to your grandma’s house is never long.” She said the secret to her long life was living a good life.

1. How does Eileen help strangers?

A．By chatting with them.

B．By working for them.

C．By lending money to them.

D．By giving speeches to them.

2. What do strangers think of Eileen?

A．She is a responsible mother.

B．She is good at performing.

C．She is full of energy and wisdom.

D．She is a woman of caring for education.

3. What will Eileen do in the future?

A．Set up online chats.

B．Make her life simple.

C．Bring new meaning to the saying.

D．Continue to share her wisdom.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Ways of Living a Good Life.

B．A Special 100-year-old Woman.

C．Helping the Strangers Is Interesting.

D．The Secret to a 100-year-old Woman’s Long Life.